Jean L. Strickler

Jean was born and raised in Inglewood, Ca. She graduated from Westchester High School and continued her education at El Camino College and CSU-Long Beach. Jean graduated in 1974 from CSU-Long Beach with a degree in Physical Education and a teaching credential. She entered the US Army in 1975 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps. She served in the Basic Training Battalion in Fort McClellan, Alabama. From there, Jean went to Fort Richardson, Alaska where she served as a platoon leader of a signal platoon. During this time, she was convinced the Army was trying to freeze her to death. After Alaska, Jean served at Fort Hood, Texas with her last assignment in the Inspector General’s Office for The III Corps. In Texas, Jean was convinced the Army was trying to fry her with the heat. She rose through the ranks to Captain and left the active duty to pursue a master’s degree. She joined the California National Guard and served until 1988. Jean worked for the Orange County Sheriff as a dispatcher in 1988 and was hired as a police officer by CSU-Long Beach Police. She graduated from the Golden West Police Academy. She graduated with honors from the master’s program in Public Policy from CSU-Long Beach in 2006. She retired from law enforcement as a Sergeant in 2007. She is survived by her partner of forty years, Madonna Gage, Sister-in-Law Julie Strickler, Aunt Katherine Shelton, cousin Bruce Strickler, niece Jennifer Villegas, husband Javier, and their grandnieces, niece Laura Strickler, and cousins Chris Foisy. Maureen Wright, Holly Wall, and Valerie Benson.

Jean loved to read books and history. She loved anything British and Scottish. She loved discussing books with her friend Bunny. She listened to the drama hour on the radio at night and talked to her partner, John, about it. Shari kept her safe on the streets. She enjoyed hiking in Yosemite and El Morro. Jean loved cats as evidenced by her answering machine that drove the Police Chief nuts, but she kept it. She was into fitness and exercise and loved talking current affairs with Linda while exercising. She loved going to the San Diego Zoo. Jean loved her Tahoe because no one could see someone so small to cut them off. Our neighbors Penny, Charlotte, Ester, Barbara, and Lori made the neighborhood a fun place to live. She loved her family even though they did not talk every day. She loved Julie for helping her navigate the death of her brother Larry. She loved Javier for being the rock of the family and Jennifer and Laura for being nieces she could be proud of. Jean loved Donna for being a friend and caring about her for so many years. She loved just being alive. If love could have saved her, she would like forever. May she rest in peace in God’s loving hands. Amen.

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